ISLAMABAD: The 10-day Lok Mela concluded at Lok Virsa on Sunday with a grand, Pashto musical evening.

Folk musicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enthralled the audience with their music and dance performances. The closing ceremony was attended by a large number of people as it fell not only on the weekend but on Easter.

An awards ceremony was held on Saturday, in which awards sponsored by the Pakistan Baitul Mal in terms of financial assistance were distributed among artisans, artists, dancers and musicians based on the recommendations of a jury constituted by Lok Virsa.

Musarrat Nahid Imam, the director of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts’ visual arts department and a member of the jury, told Dawn the majority of the work showcased at various stalls in the festival was not up to the mark.

“These artisans need support at the government level to keep the crafts in their original and pure form. Commercialism has taken over purity as original products take time, and therefore they cost more and are unaffordable for average citizens,” she said.

She said artisans should be supported financial by the government in order to boost their businesses, and more festivals and events similar to Lok Mela should be organised in cities to give the artisans access to bigger markets.

Syed Khatoon, a specialist in beadwork won from Balochistan, along with folk artists Jangi Khan, dancer Gul Bhar, nar (flute) player Meera Khan and dancer Wali Mohammad.

From KP, artisans who specialised in Peshawari karakulli caps, metalwork, lacquer art, woodwork and stone carving won awards for originality.

Folk musician Khairul Amin and dancer Allah Nawaz also received awards.

An ajrak block-maker, a farasi weaving artisan, a master potter, folk artists Shaukat Ali and Alghoza player Akbar Khameesu Khan won awards from Sindh.

Award winners from Punjab included bone work artisan Abdul Rasheed, basketry artisan Kaneez Fatima, doll-maker Fouzia Naheed, truck art artist Habibur Rehman, Jhoomar performer Mohammad Sharif and singer Mohammad Akhar.

Rehana Usman, who visited various stalls on the final day of the festival, praised the festival and said it offered many traditional foods and handicrafts, but she complained about the the price of the handicrafts.

“I bought embroidered cushion covers from the Multan stall a week ago, as they were beautifully made with multicoloured thread and mirror work. Unfortunately, the quality was not very good because the thread work was not durable and deteriorated after a few days of use,” she said.

She added that Lok Virsa was responsible for ensuring the quality and cost of products sold at the stalls.

Because of mismanagement on the part of the traffic police and Lok Virsa, there was also significant traffic congestion.

With only two or three police officials attempting to control thousands of vehicles, many visitors had to turn back after spending hours in traffic. After several hours, traffic wardens were called in to clear the roads.

Ishfaq Hussain, who was stuck in the traffic jam, said proper arrangements are needed for large events, adding that he had booked a taxi and had to pay the driver more because they were stuck in traffic for an hour and a half.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2017